As part of the patient and staff support for the Emergency Department (ED) Opt-Out Testing project, we are fortunate to have a highly experienced registered nurse within the team.
Karina Veitch – ED Opt–Out Testing Project Nurse
Karina Veitch is a Registered General Nurse with over 30 years of experience, including 28 years at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. She holds a Diploma in Health Studies and is also a qualified sexual health and contraception nurse and a certified Mental Health First Aider.
Karina joined the Emergency Department Blood Borne Virus (BBV) Opt-Out Testing project in October 2024, bringing 23 years of specialist sexual health expertise. She plays a key role in supporting staff and patients, helping to embed routine BBV testing across ED and improving early diagnosis and access to care.
Karina works as a health advisor at Brotherton Wing Clinic giving HIV positive results and supporting patients with any problems like addiction, testing partners and children and engaging patients into peer support services. She also supports workers trying to re-engage patients who do not engage with the service.
Karina is passionate about reducing stigma, increasing access to testing, and ensuring patients receive timely, compassionate support as the programme continues to grow.
Meet Rosa and Tracey – Viral Hepatitis Nurse Specialists
Rosa Maunganidze and Tracey Stirrup are the project leads within the Viral Hepatitis Nursing Team at LTHT. With over 15 years of experience in Hepatology, they bring extensive expertise in the management of Hepatitis B and C across both hospital and community settings.
Their work is central to the success of the Emergency Department (ED) BBV Opt-Out Testing programme, ensuring patients receive timely, person-centred care from diagnosis through to treatment and long-term support. They provide expert clinical care, compassionate guidance, and strong leadership across the Blood Borne Virus (BBV) pathway.
Leaders of the ED BBV Opt-Out Testing Programme
As Viral Hepatitis Nurse Specialists, Rosa and Tracey play a pivotal role their leadership ensures:
- Clear pathways for newly diagnosed patients
- Rapid and seamless linkage into specialist care
- Confident, well-supported ED staff
- A compassionate, stigma-free experience for every patient
Their dedication has strengthened viral hepatitis pathways across LTHT and significantly reduced missed opportunities for treatment.
Compassionate, Skilled, and Patient-Focused
Rosa and Tracey are recognised for their:
- Extensive clinical expertise in viral hepatitis
- Commitment to equitable, accessible care
- Supportive approach to both patients and colleagues
- Determination to reduce stigma surrounding BBVs
- Focus on improving outcomes for underserved and vulnerable groups
Their leadership ensures that every patient whether newly diagnosed or returning to care receives respectful, timely, and holistic support.
Driving Improvement Across the BBV Pathway
Together, Rosa and Tracey continue to enhance the BBV testing and treatment pathway by:
- Leading service development and quality improvement initiatives
- Supporting multidisciplinary teams across LTHT
- Building strong partnerships with hospital and community services
- Ensuring patients are connected to the right care at the right time
Their work remains vital to the ongoing success of the ED Opt-Out Testing programme and to improving viral hepatitis outcomes across the region.
Staff Spotlight: Rosa Maunganidze & Tracey Stirrup
Viral Hepatitis Nurse Specialists, LTHT
Rosa and Tracey are part of the Viral Hepatitis Nursing Team at LTHT, their work ensures patients receive timely, person-centred care from diagnosis through to treatment and long-term support.
What They Do
- Lead the Emergency Department BBV Opt-Out Testing programme in the Viral Hepatitis Team
- Ensure clear pathways and rapid linkage into specialist care
- Support ED staff to deliver confident, stigma-free testing
- Strengthen viral hepatitis pathways across LTHT
Rosa and Tracey are known for their deep clinical expertise, compassionate approach, and commitment to equitable care. They work tirelessly to reduce stigma, support colleagues, and improve outcomes for underserved and vulnerable groups.
Driving Improvement
They are central to the success of the Emergency Department (ED) BBV Opt-Out Testing programme and lead service development, quality improvement, and partnership working across hospital and community settings ensuring every patient is connected to the right care at the right time.